Trump said on Friday (October 9) that Putin had agreed to supply Russian diesel to the U.S. and global markets. Trump's move is intended to combat rising fuel costs ahead of the midterm elections and marks a sharp shift in U.S. policy toward Moscow since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
Trump posted on social media that he negotiated the deal with Putin during a phone call believed to be discussing a suspected plague epidemic in Russia.
Trump: Russia will supply 4.8 million tons of diesel
According to Trump, Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, with another 500,000 tons in November, and "following closely" with 1 million tons; he wrote that Russia will also deliver another 3 million tons "in a short period of time."
The U.S. Treasury Department has issued a temporary license allowing Russian diesel to enter global markets until April 2027.
Trump made this announcement after he signed a wide-ranging sanctions law against Russia last month, which is intended to crack down on energy and other fields that support Russia's war with Ukraine. The bill is named for the late Senator Lindsey Graham. Graham, who played a leading role in pushing the bill, is a staunch supporter of Ukraine.
Russia: ready to supply more diesel
Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev forwarded the U.S. Treasury Department’s announcement on X, saying that Russia-U.S. cooperation in the diesel and energy fields will benefit the world.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia is ready to supply more diesel to the United States and other countries starting in October. He also said that Russia's exports are expected to increase further in November and December as refineries resume operations after maintenance.
Later, the Kremlin released a statement from Putin saying that during the call he and Trump also paid "substantial attention" to "the prospects for resolving the crisis in Ukraine" and discussed "the situation in Iran and all aspects of bilateral relations."
Zelensky: This is an investment in war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the deal, saying any easing of sanctions without a clear and lasting de-escalation deal with Russia would be a clear sign of "weakness."
He wrote on social media that gifts to Putin will not bring peace or bring any benefits to the civilized world, and Russia will "repay" these diesel sales with more terror and perfidy.
The Ukrainian president emphasized that allowing Russia to sell oil products would amount to investing in a war that should be ended, not prolonged; what is really needed is a substantial de-escalation with Russia on a reciprocal basis. He also said that Ukraine hopes the United States can have a tough dialogue with Russia - tough, not weak.
On Saturday, Zelensky posted on the social platform So far, sadly, 12 people have been confirmed dead, including 3 children.
Europe, the United States and Ukraine are conducting diplomatic consultations
Since launching a full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has been subject to multiple rounds of sanctions from the United States and its Western partners. But as the war continues and there is no hope for peace, Washington's insistence on this path has shown signs of wavering.
Temporary sanctions waivers issued by the United States earlier this year to allow Russian oil sales had sparked concerns that they could hamper efforts to cut off Moscow's war chest. Last month, Trump blamed soaring diesel prices on Ukraine's attack on Russian refineries and even publicly asked Zelensky to stop the attack.
Trump's announcement on Friday came as U.S., Ukrainian and European officials held a new round of diplomatic talks in Miami aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. According to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Ukrainian, European, U.S. and NATO representatives held "constructive" discussions in Miami and agreed to continue diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Analysis: Trump puts personal interests ahead of congressional decisions
Ines Pohl, director of Deutsche Welle's Washington correspondent office, analyzed that the diesel deal is mainly related to domestic politics.
With just weeks left before the midterm elections, Trump is under heavy pressure over high energy prices. The deal allows him to show he is taking action to appeal to voters who are feeling directly the rise in fuel prices - making the war in Ukraine seem distant by comparison.
Politically, this is significant: Trump accepted the easing of sanctions against Russia at a time when Washington had wanted to increase pressure on Putin.
It also makes one thing crystal clear: When push comes to shove, Trump always chooses what’s best for him personally, rather than what Congress has already decided.
He seemed to be betting that for many Americans, the price at the pump would ultimately matter more than the geopolitical consequences. However, there are still doubts whether the promised supply can bring significant price relief.
